Customer Question

Aloha! You're speaking to Dr. Michael SalkinWhen tissues become so red we define them as being "injected". Injection is seen with high blood pressure and dehydration. A healthy young dog who's been exercising strenuously may exhibit these signs. A seriously ill dog with sepsis (overwhelming infection) or high blood pressure secondary to many different internal medical diseases may show these signs. As you can see, the mere presence of a very red tongue and warm mouth simply suggests that we need to know what else is going on at the time. If there are other symptoms you'd like to discuss with me, please do so.

If Bruno has lots of energy and play, I have to assume that his caloric intake is sufficient. If he had progressive weight loss I'd be concerned that he wasn't eating enough. Is he maintaining his weight? Is he nicely muscled?

seems to be all muscle, has lost some weight but its like he only eats to survive. Have taken him off any dog foods with dye in them..even put him on rice and hamburger, rice and chicken and rice and tuna. will eat it one time and not the next. and now the issue with his tongue turning red

It's hard to imagine a seriously ill dog who has lots of energy and play. He sounds like a healthy intact male Akita who isn't obsessed with food like Labs are. Akitas have been found, however, to develop a rare blood disorder called polycythemia more so than most other breeds. Polycythemia describes there being too many red blood cells in the blood stream. That would naturally cause tissues to appear more red. This is a very rare disease, however. If you feel that his eating is truly abnormal that's good enough for me. Have his vet check him out and make sure that Bruno's PCV (packed cell volume) - a measure of his red blood cell count - is checked. We don't want to overlook the rare polycythemia. Please continue our conversation if you wish.

Bruno has been seeing his vet about first, vomiting , he hasnt been doing that, not eating, he still doesnt eat well, and now the tongue turning red, gradually for the past 5 days. When our vet has given him shots, for vomiting and not eating. Bruno acts like it is REALLY REALLY painful when shots are given, had to muzzle him to keep him from biting the vet. initial blood work everything came back normal but dont know if his PCV was checked. But he has been drinking , urinating and seems to have normal bowel movements, so doesnt seem to be any kind of blockage, and was checked for worms his last visit and was free of any.

His PCV was checked. It's part of the basic blood work. You would have been told if it were too high (polycythemia). We're back to wondering if he's just dehydrated in spite of his drinking. Hating shots isn't confined to Akitas like Bruno. Thank goodness for muzzles. His history of vomiting and now not eating well suggests that there still is something going on in his gastrointestinal tract. There isn't likely anything wrong with his major organs (liver, pancreas, kidneys) because his blood tests were normal. A gastroenteritis persists or perhaps a food allergy or intolerance exists. GI disorders can be difficult to diagnose without invasive testing - scoping and biopsy, e.g. which isn't indicated at this point but if his partial anorexia persists scoping and biopsy will be considered as will a hypoallergenic food trial. It's quite late here now and I have to leave my laptop but I promise to reply in the morning if need be.

I will tell you that...the things you have to go through to be an Expert are quite rigorous.

What Customers are Saying:

It was so professional, so personally concerned (as we were) and you answered all of our questions. George and I are so happy that I found "JustAnswer" on my Google search -- you are now in my "Favorites" list! And, yes we do love our kitty - she makes our life complete!Bev & GeorgeBoca Raton, FL

It was so professional, so personally concerned (as we were) and you answered all of our questions. George and I are so happy that I found "JustAnswer" on my Google search -- you are now in my "Favorites" list! And, yes we do love our kitty - she makes our life complete!Bev & GeorgeBoca Raton, FL

This expert is wonderful. They truly know what they are talking about, and they actually care about you. They really helped put my nerves at ease. Thank you so much!!!!AlexLos Angeles, CA

Thank you for all your help. It is nice to know that this service is here for people like myself, who need answers fast and are not sure who to consult.GPHesperia, CA

I couldn't be more satisfied! This is the site I will always come to when I need a second opinion.JustinKernersville, NC

Just let me say that this encounter has been entirely professional and most helpful. I liked that I could ask additional questions and get answered in a very short turn around. EstherWoodstock, NY

Thank you so much for taking your time and knowledge to support my concerns. Not only did you answer my questions, you even took it a step further with replying with more pertinent information I needed to know. RobinElkton, Maryland

University of California at Davis graduate veterinarian with 42 years of experience

X

Ask a Dog Veterinarian

Get a Professional Answer. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

147 Dog Veterinarians are Online Now

Type Your Dog Veterinary Question Here...

characters left:

Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.